Factory chain lube

[patescot]

My new 2008 GS500E (200km) came with a white, waxy substance on the chain.  A) What is this?  B) Is it sufficient untill the 1000 km service?

Thanks,
Scott

[bassmechanicsz]

that would be chain lube and should be reapplied to about every 600 miles (don't know the conversion to km) to help make your chain last.  Many people on here use a bunch of different products and have different methods for cleaning and lubing the chain.  Their are a bunch of threads on this to so the search function will be your friend.

[annguyen1981]

Check in your owners manual.  It will have a scheduled maintanance chart that tells you when to lube it up.

Just remember that after each bike wash and each ride in the rain, you need to clean and lube it again. 

[Roadstergal]

The stuff they put on it from the factory is whiter and goopier than the stuff you'll probably end up putting on it.

Everyone has their own feelings on chain cleaning and lube.  I clean all of my chains with WD-40 and a Grunge Brush, wipe all of that off with a shop towl and many revolutions, and then give it a good coating of Chain Wax.  I clean and lube when the chain is warm, then let it sit overnight to let the carriers evaporate.

[JB848]

I am with Roadstergal. I use standard chain oil about every 4 to 600 miles I just put it on the center stand and rotate the tire and lube it up real good. Let it sit over night and rub off the excess with a rag the same way I put it on. There is no need to have lubricant on the outside of the chain. On the inside and in the rollers is where all of the wear occurs. 

[Toogoofy317]

Here in Florida it rains almost every day and I ride my bike probably five days a week or more. So, does that mean I need to lube my chain every day

I give it a good cleaning about once a month and spray a little lube about once a week. Is this enough?

Mary

[Roadstergal]

When I lived in Seattle, I did it from once a week to once every two weeks.  I did have a garage that it could dry in after I was done riding, which probably helped; I never had a chain rust up there.

[johnny ro]

some people think there is wear between chain and sprockets, noticed most on sprockets, but eased by lube on outside. Chain lube usually dries and stays on outside if you let it and may help with this